Solution Tree
{{short description|Educational publishing company}}
{{Infobox publisher|status=Active|founded={{Start date|1998}}|country=United States|headquarters=Bloomington, Indiana|distribution=Worldwide|keypeople=Jeffrey C. Jones, D. G. Elmore, Ed Ackerman|publications=Academic books, videos, online courses|topics=Education, professional development, leadership|imprints=|url={{URL|https://www.solutiontree.com}}}}
Solution Tree is a professional development company and publisher of educational material for K–12 educators. Founded in 1998, the company provides services and products that include books, videos, conferences, workshops, consultation, and online courses.{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapid=32527626|title=Company Overview of Solution Tree, Inc.|website=Bloomberg News}} Solution Tree authors and consultants provide guidance to schools and districts on topics such as professional learning communities, response to intervention, educational assessment, and Common Core State Standards.{{cite web|url=http://www.grandforksherald.com/news/4291441-words-wheels-little-red-reading-bus-back|title=Words on Wheels: Little Red Reading Bus is Back|last=Knudson|first=Pamela|date=2 July 2017|publisher=Grand Forks Herald|accessdate=17 July 2017}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.solutiontree.com/about/overview|title=About Solution Tree {{!}} Solution Tree|website=www.solutiontree.com|language=en|access-date=2017-07-21}}
Support of PLCs
Solution Tree provides training, consultation, and resources to help schools and districts implement the "PLC at Work" process.{{cite web|url=http://www.baxterbulletin.com/story/news/local/2017/06/30/mhsd-seeks-acceptance-state-provided-professional-learning-communities-training/444044001/|title=MHSD seeks acceptance in state-provided Professional Learning Communities training|last=Louis|first=Billy Jean|publisher=The Baxter Bulletin|accessdate=17 July 2017}} The process focuses on three concepts: ensuring that students learn, creating a culture of collaboration, and producing results.{{cite web|url=http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/may04/vol61/num08/What-Is-a-Professional-Learning-Community%C2%A2.aspx|title=What Is a Professional Learning Community?|last=DuFour|first=Richard|publisher=Educational Leadership|accessdate=17 July 2017}} It was first introduced in 1998 with Professional Learning Communities at Work by Richard DuFour and Robert Eaker.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=y2IXBwAAQBAJ|title=Professional Learning Communities at Work|isbn=9781934009857|accessdate=17 July 2017|last1=Dufour|first1=Richard|last2=Eaker|first2=Robert|date=February 2009|publisher=Solution Tree Press }} The implementation handbook, Learning by Doing by Richard DuFour, Rebecca DuFour, Robert Eaker, and Thomas W. Many, was released in 2006 and provides strategies for building and sustaining PLCs.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9mQXBwAAQBAJ&pg=PT14|title=Learning by Doing|isbn=9781935249894|accessdate=17 July 2017|last1=Dufour|first1=Richard|last2=Dufour|first2=Rebecca|date=15 June 2013|publisher=Solution Tree Press }}
Solution Tree also operates allthingsPLC.info, an online resource that provides helps educators in PLCs collaborate in an online global learning community.{{cite web|url=http://spacecoastdaily.com/2015/06/brevard-public-students-receive-college-sponsored-merit-scholarships/|title=Solution Tree Features Eau Gallie Reading Teacher as May 2015 Hero|publisher=Maverick Multimedia, Inc.|accessdate=17 July 2017}} Through the website, schools and districts can apply to become model PLCs, which requires that applicants meet a set of criteria and reapply annually.{{cite web|url=http://thesouthern.com/news/local/education/cobden-school-named-a-model-professional-learning-community/article_664ef63b-6b4d-5df0-b222-01cbdf2fb7e6.html|title=Cobden school named a Model Professional Learning Community|last=Halstead|first=Marilyn|date=18 December 2016 |publisher=The Southern Illinoisan|accessdate=17 July 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.press-citizen.com/story/news/education/k-12/2014/06/27/lakeview-elementary-recognized/11472283/|title=Lakeview Elementary recognized|publisher=Iowa City Press-Citizen|accessdate=17 July 2017}} Four times per year, Solution Tree publishes AllThingsPLC Magazine, which features information about PLCs and personal commentaries from educators.{{cite web|url=https://www.solutiontree.com/products/all-things-plc-magazine.html|title=AllThingsPLC Magazine|publisher=Solution Tree|accessdate=17 July 2017}}
Collaborators
Solution Tree collaborates with experts in education topics, such as Richard DuFour (PLCs), Robert J. Marzano (evidence-based education), James Bellanca (deeper learning), Timothy Kanold (mathematics), Kurt W. Fischer (educational neuroscience), and Will Richardson (technology in education). The company often publishes and partners with professionals currently in the education industry to provide their expertise in education. This has raised questions in transparency in private earning by school officials.{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/lake-county-news-sun/news/ct-educational-consulting-stevenson-met-20151023-story.html|title=School officials' consulting raises questions of transparency|last=Black|first=Lisa|publisher=Chicago Tribune|accessdate=17 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151024084853/http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/lake-county-news-sun/news/ct-educational-consulting-stevenson-met-20151023-story.html|archive-date=2015-10-24|url-status=dead}} DuFour said that it represents a shift toward educational materials being written by educators.
Professional development
Solution Tree provides various forms of professional development for educators. Working at the school or district level, Solution Tree offers short or long-term PD, from one-day events or workshops to in-depth, long term arrangements.{{cite web|url=http://www.wnyc.org/story/improve-reading-few-key-words/|title=To Improve Reading, A Few Key Words|last=Fertig|first=Beth|publisher=WNYC|accessdate=17 July 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://ravallirepublic.com/news/local/article_7dbd2c78-4b9d-11e5-b442-97b804517a32.html|title=Continuing education: Teachers learn about Professional Learning Communities concept|last=McConnaha|first=Michelle|date=25 August 2015 |publisher=Ravalli Republic|accessdate=17 July 2017}} In 2014, Solution Tree launched Global PD, an online tool designed to help schools and districts facilitate the work of PLCs.{{cite web|url=https://thejournal.com/articles/2016/02/05/solution-tree-updates-global-pd.aspx|title=Solution Tree Updates Global PD|last=Meyer|first=Leila|publisher=THE Journal|accessdate=17 July 2017}}
Acquisitions
In 2017, Solution Tree acquired Hawker Brownlow Professional Learning Solutions (HBPLS).{{cite web|url=http://www.educationinvestor.co.uk/showarticle.aspx?ID=5847|title=US: Solution Tree acquires Australian software company|publisher=Education Investor|accessdate=2 June 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theassignmentreport.com/articles/20170131_14|title=Solution Tree acquires Hawker Brownlow|publisher=The Assignment Report|accessdate=2 June 2017}}
References
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External links
- [https://www.solutiontree.com Official website (USA)]
- [https://www.solution-tree.com.au Official website (AUS)]
- [http://www.allthingsplc.info All Things PLC]
- [http://www.allthingsassessment.info All Things Assessment]
{{Authority control}}
Category:Educational publishing companies
Category:Educational organizations based in the United States
Category:Publishing companies established in 1989